The Game That Had EVERYTHING

Domination, determination, Overtime, perseverance,panic, despair, ecstasy.

What looked like it was going to be a rout turned into one of the most gut wrenching nail-biting hockey clashes I have witnessed of late. The season Finale with an encore no less.

It looked like  Islanders’goalie, Billy Stone, had the Indians number and was about to Stone them on scoring attempt after scoring attempt. But as the Indians onslaught persisted, cracks began to appear in Stone as the tribe wore him down.

A fast paced first period ,that seemed like the ref had no penalty whistle, saw the Indians outshoot the Isle boys by  an 18-4 margin.

Manitoulin actually drew first blood on a nifty backhander over Hogue’s left shoulder by Stephen Bunston at the 15:58 mark of the 1^st  period.

The lead was brief, however, when the Indians scored on a PP when Pulak fed a laser pass to Zilka in front of the crease which he drove home.

The period was reminiscent of a scrimmage game. Lots of turnovers, whiffs, fans  and it appeared to be a non-event, just the 1st place team finishing off the season against the last place team. YAWN

With 1.9 sec left on the clock Farley buried a beauty as Viau swept behind Stone’s net and  put it on the tape. 2-1

The 2^nd period looked like the same old same old. The Indians peppering  Stone almost at will, much like the warm-up session before a game. But Stone  stoned  Shane Bailey on a breakaway and Mike Connelly who was wide open from point blank range.

But, the Indians were relentless. A scramble in front of Stone saw the puck pinball onto the stick of Joe Larson who buried a snapshot high to Stone’s glove side.(13:08 mark)

Half a minute laterJames  Ciotti picked up a stray puck at center ice and also went top shelf.

Period 2 ended with the Indians up 4-1 and outshooting the Isles by a 42:8 margin.

The 2^nd intermission observed the contribution of the billet parents and gave the players a chance to thank them and their own parents for the support given all season. Flowers were given and pictures were taken and then the zamboni came out.

Sometime during that intermission, the Islanders  either got mad because they never got any flowers, or the Indians sort of forgot they had 1 more period to play before clinching first place.

Credit to the Islanders. They stepped up their game as if they were fighting for their lives. At the 6:19  mark an Indian turnover found itself on the stick of Stephen Bunston  who ripped a slap shot past Hogue on his glove side.41 seconds later the puck gets stolen by Jeff Mussen who sweeps behind the net , feeds it to Justin Hogan who plants it in the net. 4-3 now.

A little Indian panic sets in. 2 minutes later this game is tied..4-4. 9 minutes 37 sec left and another Islander steal.  Corbiere gets the puck from Piche he evens it up.

And its back and forth for the rest of the period. BUZZER… OT  (shots on goal now.. 48:19)

OT has both teams with great chances and some nice goaltending.  And most fans on the edge of their seats.  Shot clock now reads 51:24!

BUZZER .... SHOOT OUT

Manitoulin picks Bunson 1^st.. Hogue wins

Indians go with Yearsley 1^st  Stone wins

Manitoulin..Corbiere..Hogue wins

Indians..Moje.. Stone wins

Manitoulin.. Fey ….. Hogue wins

Indians … Farley… Farley wins!!
INDIANS WIN!!!  Awesome

By Zee